Box-handling apparatus



Sept. 14, 1943. A. NEJA I 2,329,413

BOX HANDLING APPARATUS Filed March 17, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet- 1 Fig. i

INVENTOR.

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BOX HANDLING APPARATUS Filed March 17, 1942 e sheets-sheet 5- INVENT OR.

A. N EJA ATTdQ/VEV W Sept. 14, 1943. A. NEJA I I 2,329,413

BOX HANDLING APPARATUS Filed March 17, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR. A N E J A BY A770E/V5) Patented Sept. 14, 1943 UNITED STATES'PATENT OFFICE BOX-HAN DLIN G APPARATUS Ambrose Neja, Anaheim, Calif.

Application March 17, 1942, Serial No. 435,013

t 13 Claims.

This invention relates to box handling apparatus.

The general object of the invention is to provide an improved box handling apparatus whereby boxes fed along a conveyor may be stacked and the stack moved to a desired location.

. A more specific object of the invention is to. provide an improved apparatus for stacking boxes one upon the other.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel means for lifting the elevator of a box stacking apparatus.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel support arm construction for use in a box stacking apparatus.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel means for controlling the lifting operation of a box stacking apparatus.

. A further object of the invention is to provide a novel discharge conveyor, a novel means for operating the discharge conveyor of a box stacking apparatus.

A further object of th invention is to provide a novel means for controlling the movement of a box stacking apparatus wherein the control is effected by a box moved by the apparatus.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a plan view of my improved stacking and conveying mechanism;

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 with parts in section and with parts in different position;

Fig. 3A is a sectional detail taken on line 3A-3A, Fig. 3;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 with other parts in section and with parts in different positions from that shown in Figs. 2 and 3;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation partly in section;

Fig. 6 is a wiring diagram for controlling motor operation of the box stacking mechanism;

Fig. 7 is a wiring diagram for controlling motor operation for the box conveying mechanism;

Fig. 8 is a sectional detail with parts broken away showing one of the extensible swing arms;

Fig. 9 is a sectional detail with parts broken away showing the elevator platform; and

Fig. 10 is a sectional detail with parts broken away showing the roller brak mechanism.

Referring to the drawings by reference characters, I have shown my invention as embodied in a box handling apparatus which is indicated generally at I0. As shown the apparatus includes a feed conveyor I I, a stacking mechanism I2 and a discharge conveyor I3.

As shown the feed conveyor includes frame members I4 shown as mad of angle iron with cross pieces I5 connecting the members It. The frame members I4 each includes an inwardly extending leg I4 secured thereto as by welding. Secured to the frame members I4 at the end thereof remote from the stacking mechanism I2 I show bearing blocks I6 which support a shaft I! having a pair'of sprockets I1 secured'thereto and arranged between the frame members I4. As shown the shaft I1 extends on one side beyond the adjacent frame member I4 and has a sprocket I8 secured thereto. The sprocket I8 by means of continuous chain I9 drives a sprocket 20 on a shaft 2| of a belt conveyor 22 which may extend to any desired location and is adapted to transport boxes to the feed conveyor I I.

The frame members I4 at the end thereof adjacent the stacking mechanism I 2 support a shaft 23 journaled in bearing blocks 24'secured to the frame members I4. The shaft 23 has a pair of sprockets 25 secured thereto and arranged between the frame members I4; The sprockets 25 and the sprockets IT support a pair of substantially parallel continuous chains 26.

The shaft 23 extends beyond one of the frame members I4 and has a sprocket 2'I thereon which supports one end of a continuous chain 28 which is driven by a sprocket 29 on a motor 30.

Thus it is seen that the motor 30 by means of the chain 28 drives the shaft 23 which drives the chains 26 and by means of the chain I9 drives the belt conveyor 22.

A pair of channel guides 3| supported by the cross pieces I5 serve to support the rear portion of the upper reaches of the chains 26. The frame members I4 intermediate the lengths thereof pivotally support a shaft 32 which supports a transverse bar 33 to which one end of channel guides 34 are secured. v

The forward ends of the channel guides 34 are downwardly inclined as at 35 and have a cross piece 35 secured therebetween adjacent the\inclined portions 35. A lever 31 is provided with a bearing block 24' which is pivotally mounted on the shaft 23 between the brackets 25. The rear end of the lever includes an upwardly extending adjustable rod 38 adapted to engage the cross piece 36. Pivotally mounted on the shaft 32 I provide'a downwardly inclined, forwardly extending rocker arm 39 which has a switch 40 mounted thereon. The switch 40 has an operating arm 4| with a roller 42 thereon, the roller 42 being posi- The includes an upwardly, then forwardly, and then downwardly extending portion 46. A slot 41 cut in the plate 45 forms a tongue 48 which extends above and is adapted to engage the switch mile Thus it will be seen that the forward end of the chains 26 may be raised and lowered by rocking the lever 31 and the construction is such that when in the raised position, the chains 26 are slightly above the inwardly extending legs I4 of the frame members I4 and when in the lowered position the chains 26 are slightly below the inwardly extending legs I4. It will also be seen that the switch 40 may be raised and lowered by rocking the rocker arm 39 and the construction is such that when the chains 26 are in raised position and the switch 40 is in raised position (see Fig. 4) a box being conveyed by the chains will engage and depress the spring plate 45 thus forcing the tongue 40 down upon the switch roller When the switch 40 is in lowered position and the chains 26 are in lowered position (see Fig. 3), a box being conveyed by the chainswill be urged to rest upon the inwardly extending legs I4 and will engage and depress the spring plate 45 forcing the tongue 48 upon the roller 42 and thus actuate the switch 40 to shut off the motor and stop operation of the entire feed conveyor. Thus boxes are prevented from bunching up adjacent the stacking mechanism.

When the switch is in raised position and the chains 26 are in lowered position, a box being urged onto the inwardly extending legs I4 will force the tongue 40 to engage the roller 42 and actuate the switch 40.

When the switch 40 is in lowered position and the chains 26 are in raised position, a box bein conveyed by the chains will not depress the spring plate 45 far enough for the tongue 48 to actuate the switch 40.

A stop member 49 at the forward ends of the P inwardly extending legs I4 is positioned so as to engage the forward end of a conveyed box when the chains 26 are in lowered'position, but when the chains 26 are in raised position, the box will be above and will pass over the stop member 49.

As shown the stacking mechanism I2 includes a plurality of upright frame members 60, a. 60b and 60C. The frame members I4 are secured to the members 60 and 60a. At the upper ends thereof, the upright members 60, and 600 are joined by a longitudinal cross member 6| while the members 60 and 60a are joined by transverse member 62 and members 60b and 600 are joined by a transverse member 62'.

A shaft 63 is supported on the upright members 60 and 60a being journaled in bearing blocks 64 and a shaft 65 is journaled in bearing blocks 66 on the upright members 60b and 600. The shaft 63 has a cylinder 61 secured thereto. The cylinder 61 has a sprocket 68 at one end thereof which is driven by one end of a chain 69, the other end of the chain being supported and driven by a sprocket I0 secured to the shaft 23.

On each of the shafts 63 and 65 I pivot a pair of spaced box engaging arms II. The arms II extend upwardly and at the upper ends thereof are bent inwardly and joined by cross channels I2. Adjacent the upper bent'portions, each arm has an elongated bolt I3 extending outwardly therefrom and through an aperture in a boss 14 on the upright member 60. A nut 15 threadedly engages the bolt I3 and the outer face of the boss I4. A compression spring I6 is disposed about the bolt 13 between the arms II and the boss 14.

The lower portions of the arms II are supported on the shaft 65 by bearing portions 11, the arms being secured to the bearing portions by bolts 19. The lower portions of the arms II (see Fig. 8) on the shaft 63 each include abearing portion having an upwardly extending bar portion 3| thereon to which the lower portion of the associated arm II is secured by bolts 82. The bar portion BI has slots 83 therein through which the bolts 82 extend to thus permit relative vertical movement of the upper portion of the arm II and the bar portion 8|. The bearing portion 00 has an outwardly extending boss 84 thereon having an aperture 85 therein in which one end of a tension spring 86 is secured. The other end of the spring 86 is secured to anoutwardly extending boss 01 secured to the upper portion of the-arm II.

Adjacent the feed conveyor, a transverse angle member extends between and is secured to the uprights 60 and 60a. The member 95 has a loop member 96 secured thereto and depending therefrom. The loop member 96 supports the rocker arm 39 and permits limited vertical movement thereof. At the bottom of the frame, a transverse angle member 91 is secured to the lower ends of the uprights 60 and 60a and a transverse angle member 38 is secured to the lower ends of the uprights 60b and 600. As shown, members 91 and 08 extend beyond the uprights 60 and 600 and at its outer end member 96 is secured to a vertical angle member 99. Opposite the transverse member 95 is a transverse member I00 secured to the uprights 60b and 600 and at one end thereof extends beyond the upright 60c and is secured atlts outer end to the upper end of the vertical member 99. Secured to the transverse members 05 and I00 are a pair of longitudinal angle members IOI, each of which has one end of a transverse channel member I 02 secured thereto. A pair of longitudinal angle members I03 are secured to the uprights 60 and 600, and 60a and 60b, and each has one end of a transverse channel member I04 secured thereto. To the channels I02 and I04 are secured opposite ends of a cylindrical collar I05 through which an elongated tube I06 'slides.

The top of the tube I06 includes a rectangular head member I01 thereon to which an elevator platform H0 is secured. The elevator platform IIO includes a plate member III which is bolted to the head member I01 and has. an angle bar II2 secured at one end thereof and a vertical plate II3 secured at the other end thereof. A

plurality of rollers I are mounted on the vertif cal leg of the angle bar H2 and the vertical plate vertical plate H3, (see Fig. 9).

ball H8 Is urged toward the center of the slot H6 where it is engaged by the pin I I1. As the roller rotates in the reverse direction, the ball H8 is urged toward the end of the slot where it engages and binds against the roller and thus prevents rotation thereof.

Two outer rods I20 and a central rod I2I slidably extend through the angle bar H2 and the On the outside of the angle bar H2 the rods I20 each have a hexagonal lifting head I22 on the end thereof and the rod I2I has a downwardly and inwardly extending handle I23 thereon. A bar I24 connects the rods I20 and I2I adjacent the hexagonal heads I22 and the handle I23. Disposed about the rod I2I I arrange a compression spring I25, one end of which bears against the angle bar I I2 and the other end of which bears against a collar I26 secured on the rod I2I. A tube I21 slidably fits over the rear end of the rod I2I and slidably extends through the vertical plate H3. The rear end of the tube I21 is closed and includes a socket I28 in which a ball I29 is positioned. A compression spring I30 is disposed about the rod I2I and at one end engages the end of the tube I21 and at the other end engages a collar I3I secured to the rod. I2I.

A shaft I34 (Fig. 9) extends outwardly from the vertical plate H3. The shaft supports a but- I35 and the but I35' supports a disc I36. The inner face of the disc I36 is spaced from the vertical plate H3 and includes a cam I31 adapted to engage the ball I29 in the tube I21. The disc is adapted to shift into a number of positions in one of which the cam I31 will engage the ball I28 and force the tube I21 and the rod I2I forwardly and by means of the bar I24 also force the rods I20 forwardly. The outer face of the disc I36 has a plurality of pegs I38 thereon, one peg for each position into which the disc I36 may be shifted.

The pegs I38 are adapted to be engaged by the top of an arm I40, (see Fig. 2) pivotally mounted on one of the angle members IN. A tension spring I42 normally urges the arm I40 toward the center of the disc I36 and a stop member I43 secured to the angle member IOI limits the movement of the arm I40 toward the disc I36. The construction is such that as the elevator descends, the top of the arm I40 engages one of the pegs I38 and rotates the disc I36 to the next shifted position.

A cross bar I44 extends between, and is secured to, the angle bar H2 and the vertical plate H3 at the ends thereof adjacent the feed conveyor II. A pair of stop bars I45 are secured to the cross bar I44 and extend downwardly therefrom. Between the stop bars I45 is a bar I46 which extends downwardly and then inwardly and is adapted to engage the top of an adjustable rod I41 in the lever 31.

Pivotally secured to the bottom of the plate I I I is a swing arm I48 having a laterally extending portion I49 at the bottom thereof and which secures one end of a tension spring I50. The lower end of the tube I06 includes a collar II to which an upwardly inclined bar I52 is secured. The upper end of the bar is secured to the other end of the tension spring I50.

A bar I55 extends transversally between the longitudinal angle members I03 and has depending leg portions I56 at each end thereof. The leg portion I56 slidably extends through the horizontal legs of the angle members I03 and each is surrounded by a compression spring I51, the top of which engages the angle member I03 and the bottom 01 which engages a washer I58 held in place by a nut I59 threadedly engaging the lower end of the leg I56.

A bar I00 is secured to and extends between the angle members I03 and has a lever I6I pivotally mounted thereon. One end of the lever I6I is adapted to engage the swing arm I48 and urge it inwardly and the other end is adapted to engage and raise the rocker arm 39 (see Fig. 4) When the swing arm I48 is thus urged inwardly, the laterally extending portion I49 thereon is in position to engage the bar I 55 as the elevator rises for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

A channel member I65 extends between the extended portions of angle members 91 and 98 (see Figs. 1 and 5) and a channel member I66 extends between the members 91 and 98 adjacent the uprights 60 and 600. An angle member I 66 extends between -the members 91 and 98 adjacent the uprights 60a and 60b. An electric motor I61 is mounted on the channel members I65 and I66. The motor I61 by means of a reduction gear I68 drives a shaft I69 on which a gear I10 is mounted. The gear I10 is adapted to drive a large gear wheel I1I mounted on a shaft I12 which is journaled in a bearing bracket I13 on the vertical angle member 99 and in a bearing bracket I14 on a vertical angle member I15 extending between the members 88 and I00 and disposed between the upright 60. In Figs. 2, 3 and 4 the gear I10 drives the gear wheel I1I in a counterclockwise direction.

The motor I 61 includes a brake mechanism I 16 which normally prevents the shaft I69 from rotating backwards. The brake mechanism includes an operating rod I11 which is adapted to release the brake and allow the shaft I69 to r0- tate backwards. A lever arm I18 is pivotally mounted on the motor I61 and is pivotally secured to the operating rod I11 at one end thereof. At the other end thereof the lever I18 is pivotally secured to a rocker arm I 19 pivoted to a boss I extending from the upright 600. A cam wheel I8I mounted on the shaft I 12 has a cam I82 thereon which is adaptedto enga e the rocker arm I19 when the elevator is in lowered position. When the cam I82 engages the rocker arm I19 the brake mechanism I16 is forced into operative position and when the cam does not engage the rocker arm the brake mechanism may be urged into inoperative position by means to be hereinafter described.

Bearing blocks I85 are secured to the longitudinal angle members ml and support a shaft I86 on which a sprocket I81 is eccentrically mounted. One end of a chain I88 is secured to the gear wheel I1I near the outer periphery thereof. The chain I88 passes over the sprocket I81 and extends downwardly and is mounted at its other end on a boss I89 on the collar I5I on the tube I06.

It will thus be seen that as the gear wheel I1I rotates the elevator I I0 will be raised and lowered by means of the chain I88. The eccentric sprocket I81 is so set as to provide -means to control the movement of the elevator so that the elevator starts to rise slowly, travels faster during the middle of its motion, and then goes slowly as it reaches the top of its stroke. The movement is similar as the elevator descends.

A shaft 200 (see Figs. 2 and 3) is pivotally mounted between the longitudinal angle members IN and has an arm 20I secured thereto. The arm 20I extends downwardly and then inwardly and has a switch 202 mounted thereon. The switch 202 includes two operating arms 203 and 204. The operating arm 203 has a roller 205 rotatably mounted thereon which is adapted to engage an arcuate cam 206 on the rim of the gear wheel I1I. The switch 202 controls the motor I61 and the construction i such that when the wheel 205 engages the cam 206-the switch 202 shuts off the motor I61.

As shown the wheel engages the cam when the elevator is in lowered position. The downwardly extending portion of the supporting arm 20l has a threaded adjustable rod 201 extending therefrom and engaging the member I to thus limit the swinging movement of the arm 20L A tension spring 208 has one end thereof secured to the supporting arm MI and the other end thereof secured to the bearing bracket I14 and thus normally urges the supporting arm downwardly.

Also mounted on the shaft 200 I provide an upwardly extending trigger member 209 which is adapted to be rocked by engagement with a box delivered upon the elevator platform, thus ro tating the shaft 200 and rocking the supporting arm MI and lifting the switch 202 to release the wheel 205 from engagement with the cam 206 and thus turn on the motor I61. A stop member 2l0 is secured to the transverse angle member I00 and is positioned slightly behind the trigger member 209 and is adapted to be engaged by a box delivered to the elevator to thus limit the movement of the trigger member 209.

Angle members 2II which extend upwardly from the channel member I66 and the angle member I66 have inwardly extending legs adapted to be engaged by rollers 2l2 on opposed ends of an arm 2I3 which extends through the collar I5I. Thus any tendency for the tube I06 to bind in the collar I 05 as the elevator is raised is eliminated. i

A tacking trough 2I5 is secured to the cross member 6| and by means of angle members 2I6 is secured to transverse members 62 and 62'. The lower end of the trough 2I5 is outwardly flared as at 2I1 to act as guides for a box being raised by the elevator. A rod 2I8 extends downwardly along one side of the trough 2I5 and at the top thereof extends inwardly over the trough. A switch 2| 9 i mounted on one of the angle members 2I6 and includes an operating arm 220 through which the rod 2! slidably extends. A collar 22I on the rod 2I8 engages the top of the operating arm 220 and a compression spring 222 engages the bottom of the operating arm 220 and is held in place by a collar 223 on the rod 2I8. The rod 2| 8 extends downwardly and engages a tongue 224 secured to the cross channel 12. The switch 2I9 controls the motor I61.

A pair of frame members 230 are secured to the.

uprights 60a and 60b and extend therefrom at substantially right angles to the frame members I4. The frame members 230 are supported at their outer ends by legs 23I. Mounted on each frame member 230 is a bearing bracket 232. The bearing brackets 232 support a shaft 233 on which are mounted a pair of sprocket 234 and one end of a pair of channel guides 235. The channel guides 235 extend between the uprights 60a and 60b and are positioned adjacent opposed sides of the elevator platform IIO. Each channel guide 235 includes downwardly extending side portions 236 which pivotally support therebetween a sprocket 231. The channel guides support the upper and lower reaches of continuous chains 238, the ends of which are supported by the sprockets 234 and 231 (see Fig. 5). The channel guides extend beyond the sprockets 231 and at the ends thereof are joined by a rod 239 (see Fig. 2). When in lowered position, the channel guides 235 are adapted to rest on blocks 225 mounted on one of the members IOI (see Figs. 2 and 5).

The rod.239 has a boss 240 thereon to which an air cylinder 2 (Fig. 2) is pivoted and from which a piston rod 243 extends and is secured to a boss 244 on an inclined member 245 (Fig. 5) secured at one end thereof to the channel member I65 and at the other end thereof to the angle member 2 (see Fig. 5). The cylinder 24I includes an air outlet (not shown) so that air may be allowed to enter the cylinder above the piston as the cylinder rises and to slowly escape therefrom as the cylinder descends.

The rod 239 has an apertured boss 246 through which a chain 241 extends. The lower end of the chain 241 engages one end of a tension.

spring 248 and the other end of the spring engages the rocker arm I19. A pin (not shown) may be inserted through any link in the chain 241 to thus prevent said link from passing through the apertured boss 246. The chain 241 extends upwardly and through an apertured tongue 249 secured to the member 6|. The upper end of the chain is prevented from sliding through the apertured tongue by means of an enlarged ring 250 arranged on the uppermost link in the chain. The chain 241 is so adjusted in the boss 246 that when the channel guides 235 are in lowered position, as shown in Fig. 2, the

. spring 248 does not act upon the rocker arm I19,

but when the channel guides are in raised position the spring 248 tends to urge the rocker arm I19 upwardly and to thus release the brake mechanism I16.

A rod 260 extending between the uprights 60 and 600 and is pivotally secured thereto. The rod 260 has two depending notched arms 26I thereon and a further depending actuating arm 262 to the lower end of which one end of a tension spring 263 is secured, The other end of the spring being secured to a rod 264 extending between the channel members I02 and I04. The notched portions of the arms 26I are adapted to receive the ends of the rod 239 when the channel guides are in raised position.

One end of a tension spring 265 is secured to a boss 266 on one of the channel guides 235 and the other end is secured to the lever I6I to thus actuate said lever when the channel guides are raised. The other channel guide has one end of a spring 261 secured thereto. The other end of the spring 261 is secured to a chain 268, the chain being in turn secured to the operating arm 204 of the switch 202 to thus actuate said switch when the channel guides 235 are in raised posi tion and thus shut ofi the motor I61.

A cross bar 210 extends between the channel guides 235 and is adapted to be engaged by the hexagonal heads I22 on the elevator platform rods I20 and the handle I23 on the rod I2I when said rods are urged forwardly by the cam I31. When the rods I20 and I2I are thus extended and the elevator rises, the hexagonal heads I22 and the handle I23 engage the cross bar 210 and thus lift the channel guides 235. As the channel guides are lifted, the switch 202 is actuated by means of spring 261 and chain 268 to shut off the motor I81 and thus stop the elevator platform from being urged further upwardly.

As the channel guides are moved upwardly, the spring 285 actuates the lever I8I so that it moves the swing arm I48 into position to engage the bar I55 and thus prevent further upward motion of the elevator due to its inertia. As the channel guides move upwardly, the chain 241 and the spring 248 actuate the rocker arm I18 which rocks the lever I18 to move the operating rod I11 and thus release the brake mechanism I18 and allow the gear wheel I to turn backwardly and thus let the elevator down. As the elevator reaches its lowest position the cam I82 engages the rocker arm I18 and thus moves the brake mechanism into operative position to stop the backward motion of the gear wheel HI and thus prevent the elevator from rising again due to the inertia of the backwardly rotating gear wheel.

Extending between the framemembers 238 is a channel member 21I (Fig. on which upwardly extending legs 212 are mounted, the legs 212 supporting a channel beam 213 upon the tops thereof, On the beam 218 rests one end of a pair of channel guides 214, the other ends of which are mounted on the shaft 233. The channel guides 214 each include downwardly extending side portions between which a sprocket 215 is supported.

Bearing brackets 218 are also mounted on the frame members 238 and support a shaft 211 on which an inner pair of sprockets 218 and an outer pair of sprockets 218 are mounted. The sprockets 218 and the sprockets 215 support opposed ends of a pair of continuous chains 288, the upper reaches of which are supported by channel guides 214. The sprockets 218 support one end of a pair of continuous chains 28I which may extend to any desired location and which may be driven by any suitable means.

The shafts 233 and 211 each extend on one side beyond the frame members 238- Mounted on the shaft 233 is a sprocket 282 and mounted on the shaft 211 is a sprocket 283. The sprockets 282 and 283 support opposed ends of a continuous chain 284. Thus the chains 28I by means of the shaft 211 drive the chains 288 and by means of chain 284 drive the chains 238.

Pivotally mounted to a boss 285 on the channel member 21I is a trip release member 298 which has an upwardly and then downwardly extending portion 281 adapted to be engaged and rocked by a stack of boxes being discharged from the stacking mechanism. The trip release extends downwardly and has one end of a rod 288 pivotally connected thereto. The rod extends rearwardly and has a tube 288 at the other end thereof into which a rod 388 pivotally connected to the actuating arm 282 extends. The rod 388 has a collar 38! thereon to limit the movement of the rod into the tube 288. One end of a tension spring 382 is secured to the trip release 288 and the other end of the spring is secured to a depending arm 383 secured to a cross piece 884 between the channel guides 214. A box being conveyed by the belt conveyor is delivered thereby onto the chains 28 which carry it towards the elevator platform II8. Assuming that the elevator and discharge conveyor are both in lowered position, as shown in Fig. 2, the box passes over the spring plate 45 without actuating the switch 48, as previously described, passes over the stop member 48 and onto the cylinder 81.

A guide member 3| 8 is secured to each of the uprights 88 and 88a. The guide members serve to guide the box as it is delivered onto the cylinder 81. The cylinder 81 urges the box onto the elevator rollers H4 and against the trigger member 288. As previously described. any tendency of the box to bounce back from the trigger member is eliminated by the brake mechanism in the roller I I4.

When the box engages the trigger member 288, the shaft 288 rotates, thus raising the arm 28I and thereby raising the switch roller 285 from engagement with the cam 288. This actuates the switch 282 and turns on the motor I81. The motor I81 drives the gear I88 which rotates the gear wheel I1I which by means of the chain I88 raises the elevator with the box thereon. As the box is raised from engagement with the trigger member 288, the switch 282 is lowered by means of the spring 288. At this time the cam 288 has rotated away from the switch wheel 285 and the motor I81 continues to drive the gear wheel "I until the cam again engages the switch wheel 285.

As the box is raised by the elevator, the box engages the cross channels 12 and forces the arms 1I outwardly. The elevator raises the box slightly above the cross channels 12 at which time the arms 1I resume their original position (see Fig, 3) and support the box thereon. If the box should be too long or should extend too far under the cross channel 12 adjacent the feed conveyor, the box would raise the extensible arms and tongue 224 would actuate the switch 2I8 and thus shut off the motor I81.

When the elevator rises, the lever 21 is rocked and thus lowers the chains 28. A further box being conveyed by the chains 28 will press the spring plate 45 and actuate the switch 48, as previously described, and will be urged against the stop member 48, When the elevator descends, the chains 28 are raised and the switch 48 is released and the further box is delivered to the elevator.

For every descent of the elevator, the disc I88 is advanced one position by the arm I48 as previously described. Once during each revolution of the disc I38, the cam I31 forces the rods I28 and I2I forwardly so that the lifting heads I22 are in position to engage the cross bar 218. This occurs when the lowermost box of a stack is on the elevator platform. As the elevator rises the heads I22 raise the cross bar 218 and the latter raises the channel guides 285; When the channel guides 235 are raised the notched portions of the arms 26I engage the ends of the rod 238 on the channel guides 235.

As the channel guides are lifted the switch 282 is actuated to stop the motor I81 so that the elevator only rises high enough to allow the notched portion of the arms 28I to engage the rod 238. As the channel guides are moved upwardly, spring 285 moves the lever I8I and the latter moves arm I48 to cause the latter to engage bar I55 and stop upward movement of elevator due to its inertia. As the channel guides move upwardly chain 241 and spring 248 operate rod I11 to release brake I18 and allow wheel Hi to lower the elevator. At the lowest elevator position cam I82 rocks arm I18 tocause the brake mechanism to stopbackward movement of wheel HI and prevent movement of elevator due to inertia of wheel I1I,

The elevator has thus descended and has left the channel guides supported in raised position by engagement with the notched portions of arms 26!. The downward movement of the elevator causes the lowermost box to engage the chains 239. The arms 21! are held apart, as shown in Fig. 4, by engagement with the last box while the chains 238 convey the stack away from the elevator. The stack being thus discharged engages and rocks the trip release member 296 which moves the rods 298 and 30D and thus rocks the rod 260 and releases the rod 239 from the notched arms 2Bl and allows the channel guides to resume their lowered position.

If the boxes within the trough should be raised too.high, the uppermost box would engage and raise the rod 218 and actuate the switch M9 to thus shut off the motor iBl.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a box handling apparatus, an elevator, a stacking trough positioned in the path of movement of a box on said elevator, means to feed boxes to said elevator, means actuated by the delivery of a box onto said elevator to operate said elevator, opposed arms alongside the elevator and mounted to move to and from the path of a box on the elevator, the arms on one side of the elevator being extensible, resilient means to normally hold the extensible arms in' non-extended position, and means actuated by the extension of said extensible arms to shut oi! said elevator operating means.

2. In a box handling apparatus, an elevator, a stacking trough positioned in the path of movement of a box on said elevator, means to feed boxes to said elevator, means actuated by the delivery of a box onto said elevator to operate said elevator, opposed arms alongside the elevator and mounted to move to and from the path of a box on the elevator, the arms of one side of the elevator being extensible, resilient means to normally hold the arms in non-extended position, means actuated by the extension of said extensible arms to shut 011 said elevator operating means, and means operated by a box moving above a predetermined height in said stacking trough for shutting off the elevator operating means.

3. In a box handling apparatus, anelevator, a chain secured at one end thereof to said e evator, a wheel, means to rotate said wheel, the other end of said chain being secured to said wheel at a point spaced from the axis of said wheel, an eccentrically mounted sprocket, said chain passing over said eccentric sprocket, said sprocket being so adjusted that as the wheel rotates, the elevator is raised and lowered, the eccentricity of the sprocket being such that the elevator travels slowly at the endportions of its path and faster at the central portion of its path,

4. In a box handling apparatus, an elevator, means to operate said elevator, a stacking trough positioned in the path of movement of a box on said elevator, a feed conveyor adapted to deliver boxes to said elevator, means to support boxes raised by said elevator in said trough to form a stack, a discharge conveyor operable to discharge a stack of boxes from said trough, said discharge conveyor being arranged adjacent to the lower end of the stacking trough and including an end portion disposed in the path of movement of the lower one of the stack of boxes descending in the stacking trough, said discharge conveyor being mounted to move from a lower inoperative osition below the position occupied by the elevator when in its lowermost position to an upper operative position above the position occupied by the elevator when in its lowermost position, means actuated by the delivery of a box onto said elevator to actuate said elevator operating means and to thereby raise and lower said elevator, means to shut ofi said elevator operating means upon the descent of said elevator, means to move said discharge conveyor from operative to inoperative position and vice versa and means to shut off said elevator operating means when said'discharge conveyor is in operative position.

5. In a box handling apparatus, an elevator, means to operate said elevator, a stacking trough positioned in the path of movement of a box on said elevator, a feed conveyor adapted to deliver boxes to said elevator, means to support boxes raised by said elevator in said trough to form a stack, a discharge conveyor operable todischarge a stack of boxes from said trough, said discharge conveyor being arranged adjacent to the lower end of the stacking trough and including an end portion disposed in the path of movement of the lower one of a stack of boxes descending in the stacking trough, said discharge conveyor being mounted to move from a lower inoperative position below the position occupied by the elevator when in its lowermost position to an upper operative position above the position occupied by the elevator when in its lowermost position, means actuated by the delivery of a box onto said elevator to actuate said elevator operating means and to thereby raise and lower said elevator, means to shut of! said elevator operating means upon the descent of said elevator, means to move said discharge conveyor from operative to inoperative position and vice versa and means to shut off said elevator operating means when said discharge conveyor is in raised operative position.

6. In a box handling apparatus, an elevator, 12. motor having a driven shaft with a gear wheel thereon, means whereby said gear wheel raises and lowers said elevator, a brake on said shaft, said brake being adapted to prevent said shaft from rotating in a reverse direction to that in which it is driven, means to feed boxes to said elevator, a stacking trough, means to support boxes in said trough to form a stack, a discharge conveyor, said discharge conveyor being arranged adjacent to the lower end 01 the stacklng trough and including an end portion disposed in the path of movement of the lower one of a stack of boxes descending in the stacking trough, said discharge conveyor being mounted to move from a lower inoperative position below the position occupied by the elevator when in its lowermost position to an upper operative position above the position occupied by the elevator said brake when said elevator has reached its lowermost position.

7. In a box handling apparatus, an elevator, a chain secured at one end thereof to said elevator, a wheel, a motor, means whereby said motor rotates said wheel, the other end of said chain being secured to said wheel, a sprocket,

said chain passing over said sprocket, a stacking trough positioned in the path of movement of a box on said elevator, means to deliver boxes to said elevator, opposed arms mounted to move to and from the path of a box on the elevator, means operated by a box moving above a predetermined height in said stacking trough for shutting on" the motor, a discharge conveyor operable to discharge a stack of boxes from said trough, said discharge conveyor being arranged adjacent to the lower end of the stacking trough and including an end portion disposed in the path of movement of the lower one of a stack of boxes descending in the stacking trough, said discharge conveyor being mounted to move from a lower position below the position occupied by the elevator when in its lowermost position to an upper position above the position occupied by the elevator when in its lowermost position, lifting means movably mounted on the elevator and movable to a position to engage and lift the discharge elevator to its upper position when the elevator ascends, means to move the lifting means to elevator engaging position, means to hold the discharge conveyor in elevated position while the elevator descends, means to release the discharge conveyor holding means, and means to shut off said elevator operating means upon the descent of said elevator.

8. In a box handling apparatus, an elevator, a chain secured at one end thereof to said elevator, a wheel, a motor, a shaft driven by said motor, means whereby said shaft rotates said wheel, a brake on said shaft, said brake being adapted to prevent said shaft from rotating in a direction reverse to that in which it is driven, the other end of said chain being secured to said wheel, a sprocket, said chain passing over said sprocket, a stacking trough positioned in the path of movement of a box on said elevator, means to deliver boxes to said elevator, opposed arms mounted to move to and from the path of a box on the elevator, a discharge conveyor operable to discharge a stack of boxes from said trough, said discharge conveyor being arranged adjacent to the lower end of the stacking trough and including an end portion disposed in the path of movement of the lower one of a stack of boxes descending in the stacking trough, said discharge conveyor being mounted to move from a lower position below the position occupied by the elevator when in its lowermost position to an upper position above the'position occupied by the elevator when in its lowermost position, lifting means movably mounted on the elevator and movable to a position to engage and lift the discharge elevator to its upper position when the elevator ascends, means to move the liftin means to elevator'engaging position, means to hold the discharge conveyor in elevated position while the elevator descends, means to release the discharge conveyor holding means, and means to release said brake when said discharge conveyor is in operative position.

9. In a box handling apparatus, an elevator, a chain secured at one end thereof to said elevator, a wheel, a motor, means whereby said motor rotates said wheel, the other end of. said chain being secured to said wheel, an eccentrically mounted sprocket, said chain passing over said eccentric sprocket, the eccentricity of the sprocket being such that the elevator travels slowly at the end portions of its path and faster at the central portion of its path, a stacking trough positioned in the path of movement of a box on said elevator, means to deliver boxes to said elevator, opposed arms mounted to move to and from the path of a box on the elevator, a discharge conveyor operable to discharge a stack of boxes from said trough, said discharge conveyor being arranged adjacent to the lower end of the stacking trough and including an end portion disposed in the path of movement of the lower one of a stack of boxes descending in the stacking trough, said discharge conveyor being mounted to move from a lower position below the position occupied by the elevator when in its lowermost position to an upper position above the position occupied by the elevator when in its lowermost position, lifting means movably mounted on the elevator and movable to a posi- '-"tion to engage and lift the discharge elevatorto its upper position when the elevator ascends, means to move the lifting means to elevator engaging position, means to hold the discharge conveyor in elevated position while the elevator descends, means to release the discharge conveyor holding means, and means to shut off said'elevator operating means upon the descent of said elevator.

10. In a box handling apparatus, an elevator, a chain secured at one end thereof to said elevator, a wheel, a motor, means whereby said motor rotates said wheel, the other end of said chain being secured to said wheel, an ecccntrically mounted sprocket, said chain passing over said eccentric sprocket, the eccentricity of the sprocket being such that the elevator travels slowly at the end portions of its path and faster at the-central portion of its path, a stacking trough positioned in the path of movement of a box on said elevator, means to deliver boxes to said elevator, opposed arms mounted to move to and from the path of a box on the elevator, the arms of one side of the elevator being extensible, means to normally hold the arms in non-extended position, means actuated by the extension of said extensible arms to shut off said motor, a discharge conveyor operable to discharge a stack of boxes from said trough, said discharge conveyor being arranged adjacent to the lower end of the stacking trough and including an end portion disposed in the path of movement of the lower one of a stack of boxes descending in the stacking trough, said discharge conveyor being mounted to move from a lower position below the position occupied by the elevator when in its lowermost position to an upper position above the position occupied by the elevator when in its lowermost position, lifting means movably mounted on the elevator and movable to a position to engage and lift the discharge elevator to its upper position when the elevator ascends, means to move the lifting means to elevator engaging position, means to hold the dis-- charge conveyor in elevated position while the elevator descends, said lifting means including a step by step mechanism operable one step each time the elevator descends, and means to shut ofi said elevator operating means upon the descent of said elevator.

11. In a box handling apparatus, an elevator, a chain secured at one end thereof to said elevator, a wheel, a motor, means whereby said motor rotates said wheel, the other end of said chain being secured to said wheel, a sprocket, said chain passing over said sprocket, a stacking trough positioned in the path of movement of a box on said elevator, means to deliver boxes to said elevator, opposed arms mounted to move to and from the path of a box on the elevator, the arms of .one side of the elevator being extensible, means to normally hold the arms in non-extended position, means actuated by the extension of said extensible arms to shut ofl said motor, means operated by a box moving above a predetermined height in said stacking trough for shutting off the motor, a discharge conveyor operable to discharge a stack of boxes from'said trough, said discharge conveyor being arranged adjacent to the lower end of the stacking trough and including an end portion disposed in the path of movement of the lower one of a stack of boxes descending in the stacking trough, said discharge conveyor being mounted to move from a lower inoperative position below the position occupied by the elevator when in its lowermost position to an upper operative position above the position occupied by the elevator when in its lowermost position, means actuated by the delivery of a box onto said elevator to actuate said elevator operating means, means to shut off said elevator operating means upon the descent of said elevator, a disc on said elevator adapted to be rotated step-by-step into a predetermined I number of positions, means to advance said disc one step upon each descent of said elevator, a plurality of movable rods on said elevator, means connecting said rods and operable to shift said discharge conveyor, a cam on said disc, means whereby said cam moves said rods and the connecting means, when said disc is in one position, to thereby cause said discharge conveyor to move to operative position by the next ascent of the elevator.

12. In a box handling apparatus, an elevator, a chain secured at one end thereof to said elevator, a wheel, a motor, means whereby said motor rotates said wheel, the other end of said chain being secured to said wheel, a stacking trough positioned. in the path or movement of a box on said elevator, means to deliver boxes to said elevator, opposed arms mounted to move' to and from the path of a box on the elevator, the arms ,of one side of the elevator being extensible, means to normally hold the arms in nonextended position, means actuated by the extension of said extensible arms to shut off said motor, a discharge conveyor operable to discharge a stack of boxes from said trough, said discharge conveyor being arranged adjacent to the lower end of the stacking trough and including an end portion disposed in the path of movement of the lower one of a stack of boxes descending in the stacking trough, said discharge conveyor being mounted to move from a lower inoperative position below the position occupied by the elevator when in its lowermost position to an upper operative position above the position occupied by the elevator when in its lowermost position, means to shut off said elevator operating means upon the descent of said elevator, a disc on said elevator adapted to be rotated step-by-step into a predetermined number oi positions, means to advance said disc one step upon each descent of said elevator, a plurality of movable rods on said elevator, means connecting said rods and operable to shift said discharge conveyor, a cam on said disc, means whereby said cam moves said rods and the connecting means, when said disc is in one position, to thereby cause said discharge conveyor to move to operative position by the next ascent of the elevator.

13. In a box handling apparatus, an elevator, a chain having one end secured to said elevator, a wheel, a motor, means whereby said motor rotates said wheel, the other end of said chain being secured to said wheel, an eccentrically mounted sprocket receiving said chain, said sprocket being so adjusted that as the wheel rotates the elevator is raised and lowered, the eccentricity of the sprocket being such that the elevator travels slowly at the end portions of its path and faster at the intermediate portion of its path, a stackin said stacking trough for shutting oi! the motor,

a discharge conveyor operable to discharge a stack of boxes from said trough, said discharge conveyor being arranged adjacent to the lower end 'oiv the stacking trough and including an end portion disposed in the path of movement or the lower one of a stack of boxes descending in the stacking trough, saiddischarge conveyor being mounted to move from a lower inoperative position below the position occupied by the elevator when in its lowermost position to an upper operative position above the position occupied by the elevator when in its lowermost position, means actuated by the delivery of a box onto said elevator to actuate said elevator operating means and to thereby raise and lower said elevator, means to shut oil. said elevator operating means upon the descent of said elevator, a disc on said elevator adapted to be rotated step-by-step, means to advance said disc one step upon each descent of said elevator, a plurality of movable rods on said elevator, means connecting said rods and operable to shift said discharge conveyor, a cam on said disc, and means whereby-said cam moves said rods and the connecting means when said disc is in one position, to thereby cause said discharge conveyor to move to operative position upon the next ascent of the elevator.

, AMBROSE N'EJA. 

